Usa Law

[nailit]

In America, whats the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor? Is it similar to our magistrates and crown court type of offences?
Thanks

[Zacs-Master]

http://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-law-basics/what-distinguishes-a-misdemeanor-from-a-felony.html

[Jackdaw33]

In the UK a felony was originally a capital offence. The distinction was abolished in 1970.

[nailit]

Thats a great link ZM thanks.
Didnt know that JD, interesting, thanks.

[SirOracle]

Spot on Jack. " Felo de se " was the offence of killing oneself (suicide),which I think is no longer used in the UK.

[Jackdaw33]

I was a bit out. The distinction between felony and misdemeanour was abolished in 1967. The offence of attempted suicide was abolished in 1961.

[Peter Pedant]

Felo de se is a bit of a red herringin this context
but not in 1822 when the then prime minister got depressed and slit his won throat !

if proven he would have been buried at a cross road with a stake thro his heart ! oo -er , a compromise was reached

[Jackdaw33]

I presume that PP refers to Lord Castlereagh.

"So he at last has slit his throat. He who?
The man who slit his country's long ago."